8 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding Posted 8 December 2014

Introducing our Advent Calendar – here’s the eighth post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: Alien plants and handmade craft.

Royal Exchange’s Christmas production isn’t festive in a traditional way – but it does look like enormous fun. Combine a lovelorn florist with a carnivorous alien plant and what do you get? No, not an odd cracker joke… Instead, Little Shop of Horrors, a sci-fi musical spoof from the 1950s that’s a “gory, scary, glitter and sequins treat,” according to director Derek Bond. Royal Exchange Theatre, 5 Dec-17 Jan, from £15.

Do more. There are plenty of food and drink options close to the Royal Exchange, but it’s also worth leaving time to explore the Christmas Jewellery and Craft Fair at the theatre’s own shop. There are stocking fillers and a wide range of handmade jewellery for sale.

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